(Editor's Note: In our New & Views column we quote from many different sources. Please understand that this does not necessarily mean that we approve of all of the publications from which we quote. We will give the name of the source in the first quote and thereafter we will give the abbreviation of that name.)
Baptists Share Building With Kol Ami-Members of this Reform synagogue have an unusual relationship with their neighbors at First Baptist Church of Flower Mound (TX). Rather than dispute ancient Scripture and theology, the two groups take adult education courses together and share facilities. (Dallas Morn. News, 4/28/01) To question the innocence of this partnership places a person in the vulnerable spot of pigheadedness. The Jewish Rabbi of this congregation said, "We've made a real effort to understand each other as people of faith." He and pastor of First Baptist obviously have a good relationship. How can this pastor and people be compatible when the Jewish Rabbi does not believe in Jesus Christ as Messiah? Paul's message was not acceptable to the Jewish religion of his day. "Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 20:21) "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" (2 Cor. 6:14) This pastor is sure to lose more of his young people to this monotheistic religion than he will convert of their group to Christianity. -(W. W. Mosley, hereafter WWM)
Muslim Culture Enters America's Classroom-Islamic convert, Audrey Shabbas, has founded the "nonprofit Arab World and Islamic Resources and School Services" for the purpose of correcting inaccurate images of "Islam and Arabs that she found in textbooks." (DMN, 2/24/01) As an educational consultant she is capable of obtaining the hearing of a cross section of "faith traditions." Her objective is to advance knowledge about the "now 6 Million adherents in America and that Islam is the country's fastest-growing religion." (Ibid.) This is a false religion that claims Abraham was the first Muslim. If you think there is not a hidden motive behind this, do nothing at all and America's classrooms will be used to convert our children to this religion. The freedom that Christianity brought to America will be driven farther underground. The eternal God has been expelled from school and the Islamic Allah has enrolled. Wake up! -WWM
Islam's Religious Requirements & Its Results-The following is gleaned from an AP report by Amr Nabil, 3/5/00. The annual pilgrimage of Muslims has resulted in 35 deaths (23 women/12 men) by trampling. This happened primarily during the stoning of the devil ritual. Older people could not move as fast as others and became victims. In 1998, a stampede at the same ritual resulted in killing 180. In 1997 a fire tore through the tent city at the same celebration, killing more than 340 and injuring 1,500. In 1994 there were 270 such pilgrims killed. The most deadly hajj-related tragedy was in 1990. A stampede ended with the death of 1,426 being trampled to death. Is this the religion educator Audrey Shabbas wants our American school children learning about? Lord, deliver us from such superstition. -WWM
Rock Music & American Culture-The hard-rock music from the likes of Marilyn Manson has paved the way of acceptance of so-called soft-rock and Christian(?) rock. Manson's recordings have sold by the millions and have created havoc among teen-agers and adults alike. His music has helped inspire everything from school shootings to suicide. He was ordained by the Church of Satan, founded by Anton LaVey who was in Manson's eyes "the most righteous man I've ever known." (Calvary Contender, 7/1/99) Christian(?) rock groups abound today and are being accepted in many mainline church circles. Look alike, sound alike, devilish activity cannot be camouflaged so as to appear biblically spiritual. Yet oscillating chameleon performers are finding more acceptance in Christian settings. Franklin Graham's festivals continue to help enhance their acceptance. Featuring artist(?) like Ricky Skaggs to boost attendance is nothing short of hypocrisy. Skaggs has never left his roots embedded in barroom entertainment nor claimed to be separated from his old life. (PBC, 5/00) -WWM
Gay Couple's Groundbreaking Wedding-An Australian gay couple have traveled to the Netherlands for their wedding. A new Dutch law permits such unions. They are determined to exercise their legal rights as man and husband on returning home. (The Australian, 4/14/01) They claim they are "just two people in love who want to be treated like any other newlyweds." One hurdle that faces them is an Australian law that "defines marriage in terms of a male-female relationship." Such a relationship, which according to God's law, produces an offspring through natural birth. That is one feat this gay couple, or any other such union will ever accomplish. Advocates of such relationships are struggling for the same acceptance in the USA. -WWM
ACLU & Public Schools-Pledging Allegiance to the U.S. flag was the first thing I learned in school. The ACLU says it is just as much a violation of students 1st Amend. Rights to be made to say something you don't want to as it is for the government to prevent you from saying what you want to say. The ACLU is standing by to help "students" who think their school's dress codes and hair codes are unfair. They defend the student's right to "slam a really bad teacher" in the school paper. After all it is "your (the students) own publication, it's your right to criticize how the people who run your school do their jobs." Whoa! What a change in public schools since the 30s and 40s. I can imagine the consequences of printing or even saying I disagreed with the manner one of my teachers conducted their class. The ACLU is neither American, nor Civil, promote no Liberty, and causes division rather than Union. -WWM
What Does Freedom Of Expression Actually Mean?-Via ACLU: "The First Amendment guarantees our right to free expression and free association, which means that the government does not have the right to forbid us from saying what we like and writing what we like; we can form clubs and organizations, and take part in demonstrations and rallies." This is, of course, unless you express a belief in Jesus Christ as Savior. Or we must not quote our belief in creation by a Holy God. - WWM
Lamba Challenges Ohio Anti-Gay Law-Ohio's law which criminalizes expressions of sexual interest between people of the same sex is being challenged by Lamba. Lamba along with the ACLU are watchdogs for lesbian and gay men rights. "This law condemns lesbians and gay men for the mere expression of romantic or sexual attraction," said Senior Staff Attorney Heather C. Sawyer of Lambda's Midwest Regional Office. The claim is that the law "fosters hostility and discrimination against lesbians and gay men." Sawyer calls the law an "irrational law" which "harms gay people." Too bad she wasn't around to argue the case for Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham's plea to God was for the righteous, not the wicked. -WWM
Pornography Among Christians? -Promise Keepers, the evangelical men's movement, reports that one out of three men who attended its revival-like rallies in 1996 admitted that they "struggle" with pornography. A major Pentecostal denomination that operates a telephone hotline for pastors and their families says that 25% of the calls involve porn addiction. Focus on the Family, founded by Christian psychologist James Dobson, reports that one out of seven pastors who call its toll-free help line say they are addicted to pornography. (LA Times, 3/30/01) A host of pastors/preachers have fallen for the baloney that negative preaching is outdated. The "thou shalt nots" of God's word have given way to humanistic methods with the end result being such as the above statistics. "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." (2 Tim. 4:2) Calling sin by its first name is never popular but it is spiritually profitable. It seems when sin takes on the family name it is not nearly as black. -WWM
Movie Mogul Hired By Yahoo-Hollywood veteran Terry Semel has been hired by Yahoo Internet service. Semel helped Warner Bros. revenue to increase from $1 billion to $11 billion. (Lubbock A-J, 4/18/01) Just what the world wants but doesn't need. The permissiveness of Hollywood and the pornography on the Internet joining with the idea that anything goes if it is profitable. Money is the purpose behind such an alliance, and lust seems to be the featured commodity. Yahoo may benefit from hiring one of Hollywood's veteran money grabbers, but be sure the uninformed subscribers to their luring advertisements will finance the operation. "Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." -WWM
A Kinder, Sweeter, Gentler Farrakhan?-Those who think Louis Farrakhan's recent illness has caused him to tone down have made a serious misjudgment. On this subject Farrakhan responded, "The h___ he is!" A crowd of 4,000 at a South Side Chicago church loudly applauded. He defended Jesse Jackson's lust satisfying actions and challenged others to "Let no one throw a stone at Rev. Jackson."(NY Post, 2/25/01) Farrakhan and the "Rev." both need to take note of James 1:14,15: "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." This is not a stone . . . this is Scripture. -WWM
Hitler's Dream Resurfacing-"Scientists have created the first genetically modified monkey, an advance that could lead to customized primates for medical research and that brings the possibility of genetic manipulation closer than ever to humans," wrote columnist William Kristol. (The Weekly Standard, 2/12/01) "Britain eased curbs on embryo research, effectively sanctioning the creation of cloned human embryos." (Wall St. Journal, 1/24/01) Scientific research groups are concerned that Pres. Bush may block federal funds for research of so-called embryonic stem cells. Adolf Hitler's desire to create a perfect race of his own choosing is being topped by modern scientist trying to create a better man than God did in the beginning. Those depending on federal funded studies of embryonic stem cells in Calif., where "human fetal tissues have been transplanted into mice to create rodents with humanized immune systems," are worried. Such researchers are troubled that Pres. Bush "might also cut off funding for a related and much larger branch of research: studies that rely on conventional tissues retrieved from induced abortions." Pray for our President that he may have spiritual wisdom. Dear Lord, save America. -WWM
"Sex & Stuff" At High School General Assembly-A Santa Rosa High School (CA) general assembly topic was enough to cause concerned parents to investigate. The assembly was for "all students" and was called "Sex and Stuff." (Pacific Justice Institute, 4/19/01) The assembly included vulgar, inappropriate sex scenes and recommended alternative sex acts instead of abstinence. Also discussed were topics such as sexual molestation, rape, unwanted pregnancy, and the HIV virus. Where does the NEA stand on this matter? A few years ago sex education advocates heartily championed their cause for such a program. They were warned then of the probable outcome. Surely this is a matter of concerned teachers as well as parents. It certainly is a matter of concern with God. God is a `no-no' subject in schools and abstinence is outdated. That is until the world school is terminated for the millennium reign of Christ. Then comes the White Throne Judgment entrance exam for the next term. "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Rev. 20:15) -WWM
Jesse's Evaluation Of President Bush-Jesse Jackson's evaluation of Pres. Bush's early presidency has come to judge himself. While black caucus leaders were preparing for a visit with the president, Jackson gave this advice: "You judge him by the tone he sets by reaching out but you judge a tree by the fruit it bears." (LA Times, 2/1/01) Now there is a bit of advice worth considering. Jesus spoke these words long before Jesse decorated the world with his presence. "For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." (Matt. 7:2) Be careful what fruit drops from your tree, Jesse! -WWM
"The Movement to achieve public acceptance of the radical homosexual agenda is the most powerful attempt today to prepare the nation to acquiesce in the abandonment of any notion of right and wrong."—Alan Keyes (The Federalist,5/4/01) More men with this convictions should be leaders of our nation. -WWM
Abortion: Destroying Unwanted Children-When abortion was declared legal in the U.S., one of its staunchest supporters said it would "usher in an era when every child will be wanted, loved and properly cared for; when the incidence of infanticides and battered children would be sharply reduced." (2/24 World) On the contrary, in the years following 1973, abuse, neglect, abandonment, and even infanticide skyrocketed. Since then, our media and social elites, to justify abortion, seem to presume that unwanted children would be better off dead. And they say destroying "unwanted" children right up until a moment before birth, is enshrined as a sacred constitutional right. -(Calvary Contender, hereafter CC)
TV's Addictive Power-Is there any greater time thief in the world than television? Its dramatic offerings are increasingly unsavory. Its news coverage is blatantly biased yet numbers of Christian women succumb to its addictive powers. TV's influence is progressive. The more you watch, the more you want to watch. The more you want to watch, the more you tolerate. The more you tolerate, the more you imitate. Ultimately, TV takes much more than time. (Beneth Jones, Canadian Revivalist) -CC
Gates Gives Millions To Planned Parenthood-The International Planned Parenthood Federation says it has received, spread over five years, an $8.8 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (3/30 Sword of the Lord). These funds will help the British-based IPPF promote abortion and "family planning." -CC
Homosexuality Taught In Schools-Dr. James Dobson in his March 20 Focus on the Family radio broadcast, warned that a "national homosexualization of schools" is coming (4/2 Chr. News). He called on parents to take action against a "recent push to integrate pro-gay curriculum in schools." He believes it's a "nationwide effort that will soon put almost every child at risk." -CC
More Muslim Violence, Indonesia-Christian families in Indonesia's Maluku islands are forced at gunpoint to convert to Islam in rituals that include genital mutilation for females and dull-bladed circumcision for males (4/23 CT). Those refusing to convert are killed by jihad warriors who later display the severed heads of some as a warning to others. Indonesia is 83 percent Muslim. -CC
Guns Also Save Lives-When have you heard a story on the national evening news about a citizen saving a life with a gun? A Yale Law scholar and gun control researcher complains that the mainline media consistently ignore the facts about gun use. Civilians' firearms stop about 2 million crimes per year (4/14 World). That's five times more often than they are used to commit crimes. In 98 percent of the cases, just brandishing a gun is enough to stop a crime. Other research shows that only one out of 1,000 defensive gun uses results in the attacker's death. -CC
Ted Turner `Can't Take More Bad News'-Media mogul Ted Turner says he found himself friendless, alone and stripped of his enormous power after being eased out of his top role at AOL Time Warner (4/16 HT). He said, "I felt like Job, I mean, I can't take any more bad news." He continued, "I've lost my job and my wife this year." He said he felt suicidal after the breakup of his marriage to Jane Fonda partly because of her "becoming a practicing Christian." But for Turner, bad news will get worse if he continues to reject the Good News. -CC
Porn Went Mainstream Under Clinton-The Clinton administration virtually stopped prosecuting obscenity cases, allowing pornography to become mainstream. The Justice Department prosecuted the worst offenders during the Reagan-Bush years, but under Clinton the floodgates were opened. Larry Flynt is quoted: "We've had eight years of lack of prosecution of a sex industry." So the film industry has gone from 1,000 porno films eight years ago to 10,000 last year.plus all the Internet stuff! The Internet is now the sexual medium of choice, offering pictures, videos, and web cams for every perversion (Gene Veith, 4/7 World). Porn now takes in more money than rock and country music combined. It is a type of adultery, in that imaginations (lusts) are the moral and spiritual equivalent of actions. -CC
First Baptist-Hammond, Calls New Pastor-Dr. Walter Beebe reports in the Jan. - Mar. Church Bus News that the First Baptist Church of Hammond, Ind. by a 96 percent vote March 7 has called Dr. Jack Schaap as their new pastor. He is the son-in-law of Dr. Jack Hyles who pastored the church 41 years until his recent death. -CC
Which Churches Are Growing-A new study by Hartford Seminary reveals that churches that have "explicit, specific definitions and goals for their members and high standards for personal morality and communal justice" report greater vitality and growth in participation (4/23 Chr. Today). Evangelicals founded 58 percent of all new churches between 1990 and 2000, of which the Assemblies of God mounted the largest effort. Mormons and Muslims have started more congregations than liberal and moderate Protestants and Roman Catholics combined. Liberal and moderate Protestant churches are adapting contemporary worship styles. "A rule of thumb is that the Episcopal churches using drums are growing." -CC
CT Praised C. S. Lewis-The 4/23 Christianity Today, the main New Evangelical magazine, praised C.S. Lewis in an article entitled "Myth Matters." It said he bequeathed us a method and a language for sharing the gospel with the modern and post modern world. It called Lewis "the 20th century's greatest Christian apologist" and praised his mythical works. His Chronicles of Narnia incorporates stories from both Christian and pagan traditions and mixes metaphors and symbols (e.g., Aslan is "a symbol of Christ," but also a real lion). CT said: "In Aslan, Christ is made tangible, knowable, real." The CT article said "Lewis was adept at delving into the roots of paganism and properly assessing where those roots are compatible with those of Christianity." Such are some confusing musings of New Evangelicalism and one of its patron saints! Lewis rejected inerrancy, accepted evolution and purgatory, and termed himself "very Catholic." His closest friends were Catholics and he is well received by Mormons (9/15/98 CC). Martyn Lloyd-Jones doubted whether Lewis was even a Christian. -CC
WCC Wants Global `Christian' Unity-In a conclave held recently at Fuller Seminary, the "World Council of Churches proposed a new worldwide Christian forum that would unite all denominations from around the world"; that this proposed "forum" would include not only the present WCC denominations, but also groups that are not currently "part of the WCC such as Roman Catholics, Pentecostals and Evangelicals." (Fund. Digest) -CC